Multicharge gun



Get 10, W44. L. FRANCIS MULTIQHARGE GUN Filed June 20, 1941 2 Sheets-Shget l w i In M R wk 06%. 10, 1944. FRANCIS 2,360,217

MULTIGHARGE GUN Filed June 20, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Lazaz's Franois Patented Oct. 10, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT 3 Claims.

This invention relates to a multi-charge gun or attachment.

An object of this invention is to provide in a in structure for an increase in the velocity of the projectile as the projectile advances through the barrel.

Another object of this invention is to provide a gun structure wherein an initial charge is provided for the purpose of initially moving the projectile through the gun barrel, and at spaced points along the length of the barrel there are provided booster charges which are set off progressively from the gas pressure behind the projectile so as to progressively increase the movement of the projectile in its advance through the barrel.

A further object of this invention is to provide for an acceleration in the movement of the projectile through the gun barrel by the application of successive additions of force which are set off by the pressure behind the projectile and which increase in intensity from the starting point to the end of the barrel.

A further object of this invention is to provide in a gun structure of this kind means for relieving the projectile from atmospheric resistance during the passage of the projectile along the gun bore.

A further object of this invention is to provide a gun structure of this type which may be formed with a relatively thin barrel, thereby materially reducing the weight of the gun without reducing the ability of the barrel to resist exploding or splitting.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved method of firing a projectile which includes interposing an air cushion between the firing charge and the projectile so as to cushion the shock of the initial charge and also provide an expansive medium for cushioning the recoil from the successive charges.

A further object of this invention is to provide a booster attachment for a gun which may be mounted on the forward end of the gun barrel or muzzle for increasing the effective range of the gun by means of successive or progressive impulses which are given to the projectile, the successive impulses being obtained from blank cartridges extending laterally or radially from the barrel and which are set oif from the pressure behind the projectile formed by preceding explosive charges.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved method of increasing the muzzle velocity of a projectile which includes interposing an air space between the initial firing charge and the projectile and progressively exploding opposed charges behind the moving projectile.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved method of increasing the muzzle velocity of a projectile which includes interposing an air space between the initial firing charge and the projectile progressively emploding opposed charges behind the moving projectile, and automatically relieving the vacuum generated behind the projectile.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved cartridge for use with this gun, which includes a shell, a powder charge in the shell and a projectile at the forward end of the shell, the projectile being spaced forwardly of the charge to thereby provide an air space or air cushion between the charge and projectile for cushioning the recoil.

It will be so understood that the term gun as herein used in a generic term applying to shotguns, rifies, mobile or stationary artillery, cannons, machine guns, rapid fire guns, mortars, bomb throwers, and other ordnance using a barrel for shooting or ejecting a projectile or other article.

To the foregoing objects and to others which may hereinafter appear, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be more specifically referred to and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein-are shown embodiments of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications may be resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a detail side elevation partly broken away and in section of a gun barrel constructed according to an embodiment of this invention,

Figure 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal section of the projectile booster means,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal section showing the vacuum relieving means,

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2,

Figure 5 is a detail side elevation partly broken away and in section of another form of gun barrel embodying this invention,

Figure 6 is a'detail side elevation partly broken away and in section of another form of gun barrel embodying this invention,

Figure 7 is a, fragmentary longitudinal section partly in detail of the breech end of a gun showing an improved form of cartridge for use with this invention, and

Figure 8 is a fragmentary side elevation of another form ,of gun barrel embodying this invention.

Referring to the drawings and first to Figures 1 to 3 inclusive, the numeral l9 designates genadapted to engage within the rear portion of the bore l5 at a point spaced forwardly from the. forward end of the cartridge l6 so as to thereby provide an air space l9 between the rear end of the projectile l8 and the forward end of the cartridge or charge member Hi.

In order to provide a means whereby the muzzle velocity of the projectile l8 may be increased so as to thereby increase the effective range of the gun structure, I have provided as shown in Figures 1 to 3, inclusive, a booster attachment generally designated as 29. The attachment 29 includes a cylindrical barrel member 2| provided with a smooth bore 22, which is coaxial with the bore l5 and ofsubstantially the same diameter as the bore 22. The rear end portion of the barrel 2| has mounted thereon a cylindrical coupling sleeve 23, which is formed with interior threads 24 engaging threads 25, which are formed on the rear end portion of the barrel 2|. The sleeve 23 is preferably firmly held against rotation or movement relative to the barrel 2| by welding 26 which engages the forward end portion of the sleeve 23 and also engages the barrel 2|. The gun barrel structure |9 at the forward end thereofis formed with exterior threads 21 upon which the coupling sleeve 23 is adapted to be threaded so that the barrel member 2| will form a continuation of the barrel I9.

In order to provide a means whereby the muzzle velocity of. the projectile l8 may be increased, as it travels through the barrel extension or attachment 2|, I have provided opposed pairs of booster charge chambers 28 and 29. The booster charge chambers 28 and 29 are of like construction and each includes a cylindrical booster charge chamber barrel 39 which is welded as at 3| to the exterior of the barrel 2|. The booster charge chamber member 39 is provided with exteriorrthreads 32 adjacent the outer end portion thereof and a breech cap 33 is adapted to be threaded onto the threads 32.

A blank cartridge 34 is adapted to movably engage within the booster charge chamber barrel 39, the cartridge or shell 34 being formed with a flange 35 which seats on the outer end portion of the booster charge chamber barrel 39. 'The breech cap 33 is provided with an opposed pair of springs 35, which are fixed to the outer wall 31 thereof and which engage against the outer end portion of the cartridge34. A conical firing pin 38 having a stem 39 is secured'in the outer end,

wall 31 of the breech cap 33 by means of a fasten:

ing member 49 whichmay be in theform of a nut which isadapted to be threaded onto the stem 39. Normally the percussion cap of'the cartridge or shell 34 isdisposed in inwardly spaced relation with respect to the firing ,pin 39 being held in such spaced relation by means of the two springs 36, so that'the gun barrel structure may be readily shifted or moved without 'eifectin'g movement 8 member 2| is formed with diametrically opposed openings or ports 4| and 42, which communicate the, booster charge chambers 28 and 29 respectively with the bore 22 of the barrel 2|.

The openings 4| and 42 are substantially smaller in diameter than the interior diameters of the booster charge chamber members 28 and 29 and are also smaller in diameter than the diameter of the bore 22. The cartridges or shells 34 have a charge 43 of powder therein and a relatively thin cap or wad 44 is crimped or otherwise firmly held in the outer end portion of the shell so that the charge 43 will not be ignited prematurely by any flame or hot gases which may precede the projectile I8 as it moves lengthwise of the bore 22. The cartridge 34 is adapted to be fired by outward movement thereof under the pressure of the exploded and expanding gases which engage behind the shell 18, that is gases passing outwardly through the ports 4| and 42 and thereby forcing the two opposed cartridges 34 outwardly into engagement with their respective stationary firing pins so that the powder charge 43 will be ignited and the resultant expansion of the gases will increase the pressure of the gases behind the projectile l8 so as to thereby increase the muzzle velocity of the projectile I8.

As shown in Figure 1 the booster charge chambers 28 and 29 are positioned adjacent the rear end portion of the barrel 2| so as to provide the additional pressure necessary behind the projectile or bullet |8 for forcing the bullet or projectile |8 through the additional length of barrel 29. As shown in Figure 1 the barrel extension or attachment 29 is also provided with a second pair of opposed booster charge chamber members 28 and 29 which are positioned forwardly from the rear booster charge chamber members 28 and 29. While the several booster charge chamber members are shown in Figure 1 as, extending from the upper and lower sides of the barrel member 2| it will be understood that these booster charge chamber members may preferably be disposed'in horizontalv position to extend laterally from the opposite sides of the barrel extension member 29 in order that the booster 'members will not interfere with the sighting of the gun. a

In order to provide a means whereby any vacuum which may be created in either the bore l5 or in the bore 22, I have provided an inwardly opening relief check valve generally designated as 45. The check valve structure 45 includes a cylindrical housing 46 which is threaded as at 41 into the barrel 2|. The cylindrical body 46 is formed with an outer end wall 48 which is provided with a plurality of openings .49. A valve seat 59 is'fixed within the body 48 adjacent the inner end portion thereof and a spherical check carried by the body 46 outwardly from the valve seat 59. 7

A tensionable spring-54 is disposed about the valve stem 52 and at one end engages against 7 the outer side of the end wall 48 and at its other end engages against a knob or head 55, which is threaded onto the outer'end'portion of the stem 52. Adjustment of'the' head or knob relative to the stem' 52 will'varythe tension of thesprin'g 54 and the pressure of thevalve member 5| againstthe seat 59, sothat the valve member may be moved inwardly to an open position for admitting air into the bore 22 through the openings 49 at the desired moment in order to break the vacuum behind the bullet or projectile.

While in Figure 1 I have shown the vacuum breaking or relieving check valve structure 45 as being disposed between the forward pair of booster charge chamber members 23 and 29 and the forward end of the barrel 2|, there may be an additional check valve member 45 disposed between the two pairs of booster charge chamber members and these check valve members 45 may be positioned at any desired point along the length of the barrel member 2| so as to break the vacuum which may be created within the bore 22 at the desired point.

Referring now to Figure 5 there is disclosed a gun barrel structure including an inner cartridge chamber member 56 on the forward end of which is threaded, as at 51, an elongated barrel member 58. The barrel member 58 is formed as a single unit and has fixedly secured thereto a series of spaced apart opposed pairs of booster charge chamber members 59 and 66, which are e similar in every detail to the booster charge chamber members 28 and 29 shown in Figure 2. The cartridge or charge member 6! is disposed within the rear cartridge chamber 56 and the projectile 52 is positioned in forwardly spaced relation to the charge member 6!, so as to thereby form an air cushioning space 63. There may also be secured to the barrel member 58 one or more vacuum relieving check valve structure 64 which are similar in every detail to the check valve structure '45 shown in greater detail in Figure 3. It will be understood that the barrel 59 may be of any desired length and that the adjacent pairs of booster members 59 and 60 may be disposed in any selected spaced apart relation, the distance between adjacentpairs of these booster charge chambers being such as to permit the booster charges from the booster charge chambers to increase the muzzle velocity of the bullet or projectile to the desired extent before the succeeding booster charges come into operation. For convenience of illustration the gun barrel structure 58 is shown s being mounted on a gun stock 55, but it will be understood that the barrel structure 58 may, if desired, be mounted on a stationary or mobile carriage dependign on the use to which the gun is being put.

In Figure 6 there is disclosed another embodiment of this invention wherein a, gun barrel 66 has a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart opposed pairs of booster charge chambers 61 and 68. A vacuum relieving check valve member 69 similar in every detail to the relief valve structure $5 is mounted at the desired point on the barrel 66 and it will be understood that one or more of these relief valves 69 may be mounted on the barrel 66. The barrel 56 is formed with a cartridge chamber or cartridge holding member 79 at the rear end portion thereof within which a cartridge or shell 1! is adapted to engage. The cartridge or shell Ti may be fired by means of a firing pin 12 operated from a suitable firing mechanism (not shown). A projectile or bullet i3 is positioned forwardly from the charge or cartridge H thereby providing an air cushioning space 14 between the rear end of the projectile or bullet l3 and the forward end of the charge member H.

Referring now to Figure 7 there is disclosed a cartridge member generally designated as 15, which is formed of an outer shell 76 within the rear portion of which is positioned a powder chargell, which is held in position by means of a disc-shaped wadding or plate 78. A bullet or projectile 19 is mounted in the forward end of the shell 16 in forwardly spaced relation to the wadding or disc 78 thereby providing an air chamber 83 between the powder charge 11 and the rear end of the bullet or projectile 19. The shell 7-6 may be formed with a flange 8| at its rear end to limit the insertion of the shell 16 in the bore 82 of the gun barrel. The rear wall of the shell 16 may also be provided with the desired percussion cap or charge firing means so that the charge 17 may be ignited by means of a firing pin 83 or other suitable charge igniting means.

In Figure 8 there is disclosed a further form of gun structure including a gun barrel 84 which has mounted in the rear end portion thereof a removable cartridge chamber 85. The cartridge chamber 8'5 is similar in every detail to the booster charge chamber 28 with the exception that the forward end of the magazine 85 is threaded into the rear end portion of the barrel 8E, The barrel 8 forwardly from the rear end thereof has fixedly mounted thereon a pair of diametrically opposed sleeves 86 and 8'! and a pair of removable booster charge chamber members 8'8 and 89 are threaded into the sleeves 86 and 81. The booster charge chamber members 88 and 89 are also similar in every detail to the booster charge chamber member 28. With a construction as shown in Figure 8 the charge in the rear cartridge chamber 85 may be fired by means of a firing pin which may be operated by any suitable mechanism or operating struc ture and the charges carried by the booster charge chambers 88 and 89 will be fired in a manner similar to the firing of the charges in the booster charge chambers 28 and 29. The cartridge chamber 85 is of a diameter equal to the diameters of the booster charge chambers 88 and 89 so that these booster charge chambers may be interchanged one relative to the other and a similar type of booster charge chamber may be used throughout the length of the barrel 84 and also at the rear end of the barrel.

In the use and operation of this gun structure the several gun structures will operate in the same manner, the rear firing charge as shown in Figure 1 being fired by the conventional charge firing mechanism including the firing pin l3.

. The explosion of the charge in the shell l6 will.

force the projectile or bullet l8 lengthwise of the rear barrel ill. After the projectile l8 moves to a point within the outer barrel section 2| and beyond the opposed radial openings ll and 42 the pressure force of the gases at the rear of the projectile IE will expand laterally through the ports or openings ll into the booster charge chambers 28 and 29. This pressure or expansion of gases will move the cartridges 34 outwardly against the firing pins 36 so as to explode the charges 43 in the cartridges 34. The explosion of the charge or powder 53 in each of the opposed booster shells will provide an additional pressure force behind the projectile i8, so as to speed up the movement of the projectile l8 and also eliminate any vacuum which might have been formed in the barrel 2i after the projectile It left the rear barrel member In and entered the forward barrel section 2!. These booster charges may be of equal size, one relative to the other and may be more or less or equal to the original charge which initially set the projectile in motion through the barrel structure. There may be as many of these booster charge chambers or cylinders 28 and 29 along the length of the barrel structure as may be desired, so as to provide'a progressively increasing muzzled velocity to the projectile l8.

While heretofore attempts have been made to accomplish this same result by increasing the amount of initial charge and also lengthening the gun barrel in actual practice it has been found that the result accomplished by' this invention cannot be accomplished by increasing the first charge or unduly lengthening the barrel. By providing an additional length of barrel the projectile is capable of being more accurately guided on its course and the effective range of the gun is very materially increased. It has also been found that not only is the effective range of the gun increased, but the effectiveness of the projectile within such range is materially increased.

By providing the opposed booster charge chambers as hereindisclosed in the event the pressure in the barrel operates to only explode one of the lateral cartridges the additional pressure from the second exploded cartridge will be sufiicient to eifect the explosion of the second lateral cartridge, this being true even though the percus sion cap of the second lateral cartridge is faulty because of the fact that wadding in the inner ends of the lateral cartridges is sufiiciently thin that the flame or fire from the other lateral cartridge is sufficient to immediately burn through the wadding and explode the charge from the inner end of the cartridge.

What I claim is:

1. A gun barrel structure comprisinga barrel member formed with a bore, a pair of diametrically opposed booster charge chambers fixed to cally opposed booster charge chambers fixed to 7 said member intermediate the ends thereof, a. stationary firing pin carried by each booster charge chamber, and means in each booster charge chamber for normally holding a cartridge out of engagement with said firing pin, said member being formed with opposed openings communicating said bore with said booster charge chambers and said openings being smaller in diameter than the diameter of said bore.

3. A gun barrel structure comprising a barrel member, a pair of cylindrical diametrically opposed booster charge chambers fixed to said member intermediate the ends thereof, said member having openings communicating with said booster charge chambers, a breech cap carried by each booster charge chamber, a firing pin carried by each cap, and yieldable means carried by each cap normally holding a cartridge out of engagement with said pin, the fluid pressure from said barrel entering said booster charge chambers through said openings and acting to force the cartridges in said booster charge chambers outwardly into engagement with said pins to thereby explode said cartridges, the pressure of said exploded cartridges increasing the muzzle pressure to thereby provide for increased muzzle velocity in said barrel.

LOUIS FRANCIS. 

